Operational Definitions

headlessprofessor

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Presentation Description

How variables are to be measured in social science research.

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Presentation Transcript

Headlessprofessor presents :

Headlessprofessor presents Operational definitions

Objective :

Objective Describe the logic of science

Purpose of Science :

Purpose of Science Understand

Purpose of Science :

Purpose of Science Understand Predict

Purpose of Science :

Purpose of Science Understand Predict Control

Logic of science :

Logic of science

The operational definition of a variable is how it is measured (or manipulated, controlled, or randomized) :

The operational definition of a variable is how it is measured (or manipulated, controlled, or randomized)

Synthetic, descriptive statements :

Synthetic, descriptive statements Require that every variable be anchored to something empirically measurable

Theology is not empirical :

Theology is not empirical Claims about God, salvation & afterlife cannot be resolved with telescopes, microscopes or DNA labs

Each variable must be handled in one of these ways :

Each variable must be handled in one of these ways Measurement Manipulation Control (make it a constant) Randomization assumed

Variables can be measured :

Variables can be measured Dependent variables must be measured Independent variables can be measured or handled in other ways

Variables can be measured :

Variables can be measured Classification: male/female

Other classifications :

Other classifications Before / after Experimental / control Pass / fail Choice A / Choice B / Choice C

Variables can be measured :

Variables can be measured Classification: male/female Ordering: excellent, good, fair, poor

Likert Scale :

Likert Scale Totally agree Mostly agree Neutral / don’t know Mostly disagree Totally disagree

Truth scale :

Truth scale Definitely Probably Possibly No way !

Descriptive scale :

Descriptive scale Extremely Very Somewhat Slightly Not at all

Frequency scale :

Frequency scale Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never

Variables can be measured :

Variables can be measured Classification: male/female Ordering: excellent, good, fair, poor Enumeration: age; score on a test

Measurement should be precise :

Measurement should be precise

Variables can be manipulated :

Variables can be manipulated Intentionally making subjects different on a variable

Variables can be manipulated :

Variables can be manipulated Intentionally making subjects different on a variable Can be done via random assignment grouping, and then treat differently

Variables can be manipulated :

Variables can be manipulated Intentionally making subjects different on a variable Can be done via random assignment grouping, and then treat differently Essential feature of an Experiment

Variables can be held constant :

Variables can be held constant Exclusive sampling

Variables can be held constant :

Variables can be held constant Exclusive sampling, or Proportionate assignment to groups

Variables can be randomized :

Variables can be randomized Requires large sample

Variables can be randomized :

Variables can be randomized Requires large sample Requires random assignment to groups

Variables can be randomized :

Variables can be randomized Requires large sample Requires random assignment to groups Can only be assumed, never attained

In good scientific research :

In good scientific research it is clear how each and every variable was dealt with.

Headlessprofessor presents :

Headlessprofessor presents Operational definitions